Downtown agency says Lakeland's streets need a facelift

Saturday

LAKELAND — Downtown Lakeland business owners have become keenly aware of the city's drab look after two of its more photogenic landmarks were removed in February. Now, they are looking for a facelift.

Julie Townsend, executive director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Agency, proposed a “laundry list” of ideas aimed at enhancing the beauty of the city's streetscape at the commission's strategic planning retreat April 16 and 17. Townsend said she was struck by the need to improve the area's curb appeal after two picturesque Oriental sweet gum trees were removed from the 200 block of North Kentucky Avenue.

“They took down two trees on the block in front of Mitchell's,” she said. “When I looked at the before and after photos I realized, 'Wow, this is going to affect our entire downtown area'.”

Visitors regularly sing the praises of the lovely green foliage, according to Townsend, but that has started to disappear as trees are removed to prevent their roots from uprooting pavers and damaging underground utility infrastructure.

“Now that we are starting to lose the tree canopy, and will continue to lose that tree canopy, it has become evident that some other areas have been neglected for awhile,” Townsend said.

One of the LDDA's key suggestions is to increase the amount of street lighting in the vicinity of Munn Park stretching outward toward nearby retail stores and eateries.

“In Europe when you travel through the older towns, they have strings of lights that go across the streets,” said Nikki Hunt, owner of Scout & Tag. “It creates activity and life. It makes you think something is going on in the area.”

Hunt said she first saw lights strung up across the roadways on her travels through Paris and parts of Ireland. Closer to home, she's seen how the historic Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa uses the effect to highlight its ironworks and create a warm sense of community.

“It says this is a place I need to pay attention to and not just pass or drive by,” Hunt said. “I would love downtown Lakeland do that for its main drags.”

Grant Miller, chairman of the LDDA, said the concept of hanging string lights between private businesses has an instant appeal to him.

Townsend has requested the city commission consider a comprehensive review of the street signs that direct visitors to public parking spaces and landmarks. The city's efforts to add signage for both pedestrians and drivers as needed has led to confusion.

“It's just a mess. There's different logos, different fonts, some are very old and some don't even make sense anymore,” Townsend said. “We're over signed but also under communicating. Let's have fewer signs that communicate better.”

She said successfully updating the displays will need to be a joint project between the LDDA and the city in order to determine a style. Townsend said she may recommend the city hire an outside consultant if necessary to determine the best location for signs to have maximum traffic impact.

LDDA has also suggested the city approve the use of parklets, or a temporary sidewalk extension installed over a parking spot, by downtown eateries. Townsend said this would allow more restaurants the option of offering customers more outdoor seating while also being removable during rush hour traffic.

Commissioner Stephanie Madden said she was in favor of considering the change after seeing how St. Petersburg has seen a renaissance in its downtown business area after adding parklets and umbrella shades.

It was not immediately clear whether the LDDA, city or private business entities would provide the funds necessary for the suggested improvements. Townsend said she has agreed to work alongside Nicole Travis, the city's director of Community and Economic Development, and Parks and Recreation staff to come up with estimated costs moving forward with these various ideas by the commission's May budget meeting for further consideration.

“It's all through the lens of making downtown a more appealing place for people to want to come and stay longer,” she said.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at 863-802-7545 or swalsh@theledger.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.